SERMON, 

• i 

DELIVERED A’.' HAVERHILL. 

FEBRUARY 5, 1812. 

ON THE OCCASION OF TWO YOUNG LADIES 

BEING ABOU 1' TO EMBARK AS THE WIVES OF 
fiEV. MESSIEURS JUDSOJV AI\I) .YE H ELL. 

going 

MISSIONARIES TO INDIA. 


By JONATHAN ALLEN, A.M. 

PASTOH OF THE FIRST . UCRCU IN BRADFOIU.. 


Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 

Jxscs Cubist. 


HAVERHILL, MASS. 

PRINTED AND SOLD BY IV. B. & H. G. ALLEN. 
iS12. 


AD VER TISEMENT. 


THE occasion of the following Sermon was serious and solemn. 
It was expected that two of the Missionaries and both of the young 
Ladies* about to sail with them to India would be present But 
both cf the young gentleman and one of the young ladies , wore pro- 
videntially called away , before the sermon was delivered . In con- 
sequence of thi the Address to the young gentlemen was omitted ; 
and that to the young ladies was varied. But by particular de- 
sire, as well as to render the sermon more complete, it has been 
thought proper to publish the whole as it was then written. If it 

should in any measure , awaken the attention of people in this part 
of the country to the exigencies of the brethren, it may be of some spe- 
cial importance, and that this may be the happy effect, is the most fer- 
vent prayer of the AUTHOR. 

* i he young Indies were Miss Nancy Haseu ine, a member of the 
first church in Bradford ; and Miss Harriot Atwood, a member of the 
first church in Haverhill They are since married, the one to Rev \don- 
iram Judson, the other to Rev Samuel Newell, and are immediately t* 
sail for India. 


SE11310N. 


JOHN XI. PART OF THE 52 VERSE. 

that also he should ga ther together in one , 

THE CHILDREN OF GOD THAT ARE SCAT- 
TERED AD ROAD. 

iQrOD has, according to his eternal counfels, among 
the fons of men, a chofen people. 1 hefe he has been 
pleafed to denominate his children. But they ever 
have been, now are, and ever will be, till the end of 
the world, fcattered abroad. Some are already gone 
to heaven, fome are now upon earth, and foine have 
not yet come into being. All thefe, however, fooner 
or later mult be collected together. 

Previous to our Savior’s death Caiaphas, as vile as 
he was, foretold, that Chrift fhould die for the Jewith 
nation, and not for that nation only ; but that alfo he 
fhould gather together in one, the children of God, 
that are fcattered abroad. This prophecy was, undoubt- 
edly correct. It thus appears, that one great object of 
Chrifl’s death was, to collect, unite, and bring togeth- 
er, his chofen people into one body. This grand e- 
vent will, finally, be accomplifhed. The arrange- 
ments for it, in the divine government, are already 
made, the wheels to bring it about are all in motion ; 
and not one of them will ever flop, till the important 
object is obtained. 

When we look into the prophecies both cf the Old 


4 


and New Teftament, and compare the difpenfations 
of providence with them, we cannot but fee how 
wifely all things are ordered for their completion. 
We, therefore, look forward with confidence to their 
final accomplifhment. We, indeed, fee fuch events 
now crowding on, as cannot fail, under the direction 
of the Moft High, to bring them to pafs. We alfo 
believe, that God, according to his promife, will give 
his Son the heathen for his inheritance, and the utter - 
moft parts of the earth for his pofieflion. He will 
gather together his children, from all parts of the 
world. This we {hall endeavour to illuftrate in the 
following difeourfe. In order to this, we {hall at- 
tempt to {how what he has already done to colled 
them ; what he is now doing, and what appears yet 
needful to be done. 

We are now accordingly 

i. To {how what he has already done to collect 
them. Here opens to view a field immenfely great 
and importanr. It includes in it all that Chrift has 
ever done for the falvation of men. It comprehends 
the whole revelation of his wii!,his incarnation, fu {Ter- 
mers, death, refurrection ; and all fuch gracious in- 
fluences of the Holy Spirit, as he has been pleafed to 
afford to anv of the children of men. All thefe, and 
every thing connected with them, or any part of them, 
wc have made known to us in the facred word. This 
he hath commanded to be preached to mankind. 

Before our Lord left the world, he gave this injunc- 
tion to his Apoftles and minifters. “ Go ye, and 


5 


tc;ich all nations* baptizing them in thd name of the 
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghoft.” 
This command he all'o renewed after his reiurreclion, 
in the following words : “ Go ye, into all the world, 
and preach the Gol'pcl to every creature.” It was, 
like wife, enforced with this declaration, “ He that 
believetn, and is baptized fliall be faved ; but he that 
believeth not fliall be damned.” 

The Apoftles, as far as they were able, complied 
with their inftruclions. They went forth, two and 
two, into all the world. The Gofpel was thus, in a 
very little time, preached in molt parts of the wide 
extended Roman Empire, and fpread far, into other 
parts of the world. Afia, Africa and Europe, foon 
became enlightened with its beams. It was alfo at- 
tended with a divine power for the converfion of Tin- 
ners. Vaft multitudes, in a fliort time, were turned 
from their idols to ferve the only living and true 
God. 

Thefe Heralds of Salvation, however, did not con- 
tinue long upon earth. The term of their million 
was but fliort. They all elofed the feene of their la- 
bors in different parts of the world ; and all, except 
one, fullered death for the caufe in which they were 
engaged. But the favor of their labors did not die 
with them. They eftablifhed Churches in every city 
where they went, ordained elders in them, and left the 
care of thefe Churches to them as their fuccefl'ors. 

In order to account for this rapid progrefs of the 
Gofpel, we mull take into view the extraordinary 
powers conferred on the Apcflles. They fpake all 




6 

the various languages of the people to whom they 
preached. “ God alfo bore them witnefs, both with 
figns, and wonders, and with divers miracles, and 
gifts of the Holy Ghoft.” 

Had the fuccefTors of the Apoftles, been endowed 
with the fame gifts that they were, the world would 
have loon been enlightened by the Gofpel ; and 
all mankind would have been taught of God. But 
when the gift of tongues ceafed, and the influences of 
the Holy Spirit were, in any meafure withheld, fuch 
extraordinary fuccefs could not be expecfcd. Be- 
fides ; when the Lord has been fowing good feed in 
his field, Satan has always, likewife been bufy in 
fowing tares. Thefe tares have not failed, in many 
places, to fpring up, and choak the word, and render 
it unfruitful. This was the effedft, even in the days 
of our Savior and his Apoftles, and has continued to 
the prefent time. The word of God has thus, by ma- 
ny, been corrupted ; its fuccefs retarded, and in a 
great part of the world, an entire flop put to its pro- 
grefs. This has been awfully realized, where the Pa. 
pal fuperftition, and Mahomedan delufion have had 
their baleful influence. It is to be imputed to this, 
that many nations once favored with the light of the 
gofpel, now enjoy none of its reviving beams. But 
the progrefs of the Gofpel is not, in this manner, to 
come to an end. Thefe days of darknefs, which have 
for fo many ages, veiled the world, we truft are now 
almoft over and gone. The night, at leaft,isfar fpent, 
and the day is at hand. 


The reformation, in the days of Luther and his ado- 
ciates, gave the Papal bead a deadly wound. This 
wound has never yet been healed ; and mud, finally 
terminate in his death, ihe Mahomedan monder al- 
fo, begins, of late, to totter on his throne. The idols 
of the heathen, likewife, dand trembling before the 
Ark of the Lord. Dagon and all his images arc def- 
ined, very foon to fall. “ I will (hake all nations,” 
faith the Lord, “ and the defirc of all nations (hall 
come.” The events which have taken place in Eu- 
rope, for a number of years pad, are in perfect con- 
formity to the former part of this declaration. There 
has been a great fhaking among the nations ; and ac- 
cording to the prophecies, there mud be much great- 
er dill ; and the commotion will extend to thofe who, 
at prefent feel little or nothing of it. Babylon mull 
fall ; the river Euphrates be dried up, and the way 
for the kings of the ead be prepared. Thefe prophe- 
cies, evidently, point out the overthrow both of the 
Papal and Mahomedan dominions ; and the redora- 
tion of God’s ancient people. Preparation has been 
making, for all thefe great events, from the founda- 
tion of the world. The hiftory of ages pad, in con- 
nection with the prophecies, unfold the grand defign. 
We are thus taught that fuch tremendous feenes are, 
now, nigh at hand. We look through the glafs of 
prophecy, and hail the day, when it (hall be faid, 
Babylon is fallen , is fallen. When the bead and the 
falfe prophet diall ceafe to make the earth drunk with 
the blood of his faints. We rejoice in hope, that the 


8 

time will foon come, when idolatry, fuperftition, snd 
irreligion (hall come to an end.— When Satan him- 
felf Hi all be bound a thoufand years, and (hall deceive 
the nations no more, till the thoufand years be fulfil- 
led. 

2. We are to fhow what the Lord is now doing to 
gather in his people. Here again, we fee fuch events 
as are enough to aftonifti the world. We behold the 
great conteft between truth and error, between Chrift 
and Satan fall advancing to a crifis. We find, on the 
one hand, Satan at the head of his numerous legions 
preparing for the battle. We find, on the other hand, 
the Prince of peace collecting his forces, and marflial- 
ing them for their defence. 

The enemies of Chrift, never exerted themfelves for 
the overthrow of religion, at any former period, as 
they have, for fome years paft, in all parts of the 
world. Europe, efpecially, has been the theatre up- 
on which the moft confpicuous part has been acted. 
The watch word of the infidels there has been, 
Crujh the wretch , that is Chrift, and his caufe and in- 
tereft in the world. It is to be feared, that many al- 
fo in America, have rallied around the fame ftand- 
ard, and adopted the fame motto. 

The friends of religion, on the other hand, have not 
been, for fome time paft, and are not now, inactive. 
Greater exertions than ufual have been made, and are 
now making, for the propagation of the Gofpel of 
Chrift. “ The chriftian church,” fays a correct au- 


y 


thor, " is aroufed from the {lumbers of ages, to make 
new exertions for the diflemination of true religion 
throughout the world." To promote this important 
object, many Bible and Miflionary focieties have been 
formed in various parts of Europe. In thefe benevo- 
lent exertions, however, it has fallen to the lot of G. 
Britain to take the lead. America has alfo of late 
been a little awakened from her (lumbers. God grant 
that we may fee more of this difpofition among us. 

It may be expected that Great Britain and America 
will take the moll aftive part in the diffulion of the 
Gofpel among the heathen nations. T he other na- 
tions of Europe who profefs to be chriftians, are un- 
der fuch political embarraffments, as to be obliged, at 
prefent, to lie dormant. It is well known alfo, that 
in England and America, pure religion has taken a 
deeper root, and has flourilhed more, for fome time 
pall, than in any other parts of the earth. In thele 
climes then, we may expecl the greateft exertions 
will be made to enlighten the heathen. 

It is with no fmall degree of pleafure, that we here 
recite, what has already been done, in thefe United 
States, for the promotion of chriftian knowledge. 
Many midionari-s have been employed, for fev^ral 
years, in our new fettlements, and we hope with a 
good degree of fuccefs. Thoufands have thereby had 
the privilege of hearing the Gofpel, who before had 
not heard a fermon for fome years. Many Towns 
have likewife, been excited to feel the importance of 


B 




10 

religion fo much, as to fettle minifters among them- 
felves. The diftribution of books has alfo been at. 
tended with a very good effect. The diftribution of 
the Bible, efpecially, is of vaft importance. Societies 
for this purpofe, bleffed be God, have very lately a- 
rifen, in alinoft all parts of the United States. All de- 
nominations of men, who profefs to believe the Bible 
to be the word of God, are, now, more or lefs engag- 
ed in this benevolent object. May the happy effects 
be equal to our hopes and expectations. 

In addition to other benevolent inftitutions there 
has lately been formed in this, and one of the adjoin- 
ing States, a Board of Commiflioners for foreign mif- 
fions. The object of this is, to fend miflionaries to 
the heathen, as far as they are able, into all parts of 
the world. Many auxiliary focieties are alfo inftitut- 
ed for the fame important purpofe. And we hope 
that a fpirit of benevolence will be fo diffuftve, as not 
to fuller the object to fail for want of fupport. 

Under the aufpices of him who is gathering togeth- 
er his people, great progrefs has been, for feveral years 
paft, in tranflating the Bible, into the various languag- 
es of the eaft. It is printed in the mod of thofe lan- 
guages, and lent to many of thofe nations gratis. 
What a noble prefent ! With what gratitude muff 
they who read and underhand it, receive this word of 
life ! The greateft blefiing which you can bellow up- 
on us, faid one of the Syrians, to Dr. Buchanan, is 
the Bible. '* We hope the time will foon come when 

* Christian Researches Pa'je 9G. 


this blefled charter of all our fpiritual privileges, will 
be given to all nations ; and that they will be able to 
improve it in a proper manner. 

The mod that is done in tranflating, printing, and 
diftributing the bible in India, is done under the pat- 
ronage of the Miflionary Society, the Bible Society, 
the Society for promoting Chriftian Knowledge, and 
the Baptitf Miflionary Society in England. The A- 
gents of all thefe focicties, and denominations of chrif- 
tians, are there, all united in promoting the fame ob- 
ject ; and their united exertions have done wonders. 
In confequence of them, we fee light begin to dawn 
with fo much glory in the eaft. It is computed that 
<c the people of England, notwithftanding the enorm- 
ous burden of the war they fuffer, expend hundreds 
of thoufands of dollars annually in diftributing the 
Bible, employing miflionaries, tranflating the lcrip- 
tures, and other extraordinary methods, in difpenfing 
the Gofpel to mankind ” They have their mifliona- 
ries both in the eaft and weft Indies, in Greenland, in 
Africa, in many of the Iflands in the fouthern ocean, 
and New Holland. In all thefe places, the found of 
the Gofpel trumpet, now, begins to be heard. And 
if it be but fmall at the beginning, we truft, that the 
walls of the mighty Jericho of Heathen Idolatry and 
fuperftition will fall before it. 

The Gofpel is the grand inftrument, ordained by 
infinite wifdom, to turn people from darknefs to light, 
and from Satan to God. inftance of this may be 


fcen, in the fuccefs of a miflionary eftablifhment at 
Franquebar near a century ago, and continued till 
now. It was begun by Diegenbalg ; he was fucceed- 
cd by Swartz and it has not failed of the divine bleff- 
ing. “ It is eftimated that not lefs than eighty thouf- 
and Pagans have forfaken their Idols and their vices, 
and been added to the chriftian church by this fingle 
eftablifhment.”* We might mention other places al- 
fo, where the fmiles of heaven have equally attended 
miflionary labors. And few exertions have been 
made, but have been crowned with a good degree of 
fuccefs. 

The door for publifhing the Gofpel among the 
heathen is, at prefent, more widely open than at any 
former period. The heralds of falvation are cordially 
received ; and are heard with attention, in almoft ev- 
ery part of the world. “ The general hiftory of fuch 
miflions as have been conducted on chriftian princi- 
ples, and with a real regard to the converfion of the 
heathen, affords abundant reafon to proceed.” Noth- 
ing can be more pleafing than to hear, with what ea- 
gernefs many of thd'e benighted people receive the 
word of God. The inftance of what Dr. Buchanan 
faw and heard, when pafting through the woods, near 
T anjore, is enough to excite our tendereft fenfations. 
“ This place was inhabited by the Collaries, or thieves, 
now humanized by chriftianity.” “ When they faw 
me, fays the Dr. and underftood who I was, they fol- 
lowed me in the road, Hating their deflitute condi- 

* Address to the Christian Public 


lion in regard to religious inftruebion. They were 
clamorous for Bibles. They fupplicated for teachers. 
We dont want bread, or money from you, faid they, 
but we want the word of God.”+ 

This learned Author has done more to fhow the 
wants of the heathen in the eaft, than any other man. 
He has fucceeded better alfo in pointing out the means 
of a remedy. What he has written, ought to be in 
the hands of every one, who feels any degree of in- 
tereft in the fdvation of his fellow-men. He will here, 
clearly fee, what good may be done, by carrying the 
glad tidings of the Gofpcl to them. He will, likc- 
xvife, find ftrong inducements to join heart and hand 
to aid in fo noble, and fo benevolent a caufe. 

We are now 

3. To £how what appears yet to be done. 

One important object to be purfued is, to aid 
thofe who are tranflating and diflributing the Bible a- 
mong the heathen. In this way, there remains a great 
deal yet to bo done. It is very necefiary that the meaf- 
ures which have been begun, fhould be continued, and 
profecuted with increafing energy. We may then 
hope, that the time will foon come, when all the na- 
tions of the world will be able to read the Bible in their 
own language. This will alfo open the door hill wi- 
der for miffionary labors. We cannot doubt that 
thofe who have the word of God, and in any meaf- 
ure underhand it, will gladly hear it difpenfed to 
them. The joyful tidings will be to them, like life 


t Christian Researches. 


14 


from the dead. It thus appears of importance, there- 
fore, that miffionaries fhould be fent to every part of 
the world. There fhould be no place inhabited by 
human beings, where the Ambaffadors of Chrift are 
not, likewife, to be found. 

The minifters of Chrift have abundant encourage- 
ment to proceed to the uttermoft ends of the earth. 
Lo, I am with you alway, fays our Savior, even to the 
end of the world. This promife reaches, not only to 
the end of time, but to all parts of the earth. As. 
long as they have the promife of Chrift’s prefence with 

them, they ought to preach the Gofpel to every crea- 
ture. Thofe who cannot go into far diftant parts of 
the world themfelves, ought to ufe all their influence, 
to encourage others j and to afford them all the aid 
in their power. 

It is the duty, indeed, of all men who are favored 
with the light of the Gofpel, and are able, to lend a 
helping hand to this important work. This may be 
done by aiding to fupport thofe, who are actually en- 
gaged in it. Miffionaries cannot live among the hea- 

then, without fupport from others. Even Paul him- 
felf, was not always maintained by the people to 
whom he preached. I robbed other churches, faid he 
to the Corinthians, taking wages of them to do you 
fervice. In all things I have kept myfelf from being 
burdenfome to you, and fo will I keep myfelf. And 
how did he do this ? That which was lacking to me, 
fays he, the brethren which came from Macedonia 
fupplied. O that there were thoufands of fuch breth- 


15 


ven as came from Macedonia to fupply Paul, in our 
land. If people, in general, were now as much difpof- 
ed to provide for the laborers in Chrift’s vineyard as 
thcfe brethren were then, there might be an hundred 
miffionaries among the heathen, where there now is 
but one, or not even one. 

It is high time, my brethren, for all who enjoy the 
privileges of the Gofpel, to awake from their long 
llumbers, as it refpects the heathen nations. They 
have Ilept much too long, already ; and not fo much 
as dreamt of the obligations they are under to thefc 
benighted pilgrims. How long, my friends, through 
the negligence of Chriftian countries, Ihall they be 
permitted to remain in darknefs, and in the regions 
of the fhadow of death ? What benevolent heart is 
not ready to bleed at the thought of their deplorable 
condition ? How much longer Ihall they be permit- 
ted to grope their way through darknefs, to regions 
of eternal defpair ? How much longer, Ihall Satan be 
fuffered, through their ignorance of the Gofpel, to 
lead them captive, at his pleafure ? O my friends, 
they have immortal fouls as well as we. Chrift died 
for them as much as he did for us. Their falvation 
is alfo of as much importance as our own. How then 
can we be contented that they Ihould familh for the 
bread of life, when in our Father’s houfe there is e- 
nough and to fpare. Let thefe fuggeftions, my breth- 
ren come home to our hearts, and to our confciences ; 
and let tnofe of us who are liberal, ftudy liberal things. 

The benevolence which our bleffed Savior has dif- 


id 


covered, in the redemption of men, is infinite. His 
Apoftles and minifters, in the firft ages of chriftian- 
lty, imbibed the fame fpirit. This fpirit, now, in a 
greater or lefs degree animates all the fincere difci- 
ples of Christ. O that it were again revived in all 
its ancient power and energy ! That all people, who 
enjoy the light of the gofpel, were animated with it. 
It would, at once, awaken the attention of all who 
live in a chriftian land, to the wants of the heathen 
nations. What a change would this foon make in 
the ftate of mankind ! The whole world would foon 
be enlightened by the gofpel of Chrift. All would, 
in a very little time, be taught to know the Lord even 
from the leaft of them to the greateft. This happy 
time, we now view to be nigh at hand. Fof I will 
pour out my fpirit, faith the Lord, upon all flefh ; 
and the earth {hall be full of the knowledge of the 
Lord, as the waters cover the fea.” We now there- 
fore, look forward with pleafure to this joyful period. 
Taught by the writings of the prophets, we behold it 
to be very near. The mifiionary fpirit now excited 
alfo, in the chriftian world we view as its happy pre- 
lude. We are, now, therefore, ready to hail the day, 
when the Angel, in the midft of heaven, lhall fly 
through the earth, having the everlafting gofpel to 
preach to every nation and kindred, and tongue, and 
people. 

In the various ways, we have mentioned, it is the 
purpole of Chrift to gather in his people ; and tln_y 
will all, finally, be gathered together in one. They 


17 


vv ill come from the eaft and from the weft, and from 
the north and from the fouth, and (hall fit down in 
the kingdom of God. A'.l the children of God, m 
ever y generation, from Adam to the end of time, will 
there meet around the throne of God and of the 
Lamb, and they fliall go no more out, but be as the 
Angels of God forever. This alfo will be there joyful 
long, “ Thou waft flain and haft redeemed us to God 
by thy blood, out of every kindred, and tongue and 
people and nation.” Blefled then is the nation to 
whom the word of this falvation is fcnt. “ Blefled is 
the people that know the joyful found.” 

Several fhort addrefl'es wiil now clofe the difcourfe. 
My thoughts are here naturally turned. 

i. To thofe of you, my brethren, who are about to 
leave your country for a foreign land. Your objeft 
is, to carry the gofpel of.Chrift, to a nation now in- 
volved in heathen darknefs and error. A noble ob- 
ject! An object worthy all your attention. But in 
the profecution of it, you muft expect to meet with 
trials and difficulties. Prefume not then, my young 
friends, that your path before you will be ftrewed 
with flowers ; or that you will be able, always, to reft 
upon a downy bed. You may be obliged, like Ja- 
cob, fometimes, to aflume a ftone for your pillow. 
But fliould the Lord be with you, as he was with 
him, you will find, even this to be a place of reft. It 
will be to you, none other than the houfe of God, 
and the gate of heaven. Encompafled by his prefence, 
you will always be fafe, and may always be happy. 

G 


13 


Commit yourfelves then wholly to him, walk near to 
him ; and in all your ways acknowledge him, and he 
will direct your paths. 

It is of real importance, my brethren, thai you 
breathe the fpirit of the gofpel wherever you go. 
This mull alfo give life and energy to you in all your 
preaching. Let your fermons then be highly feafon- 
ed with the divine favor. Nothing can be more ne- 
ceffary ; and nothing more important. Go forth 
then in the fpirit and power of Elias, to turn the hea- 
then from their idols, and the difobedient to the wif- 
dom of the juft. Go forth under the protection of 
him, who holdeth the (tars in his hand, and can make 
them Urine in the dark places of the earth. ( “Go forth, 
with the Angel, having the everlafling gofpel to 
preach unto them that dwell on the earth. Quit 
yourfelves like men ; and be flrong in the Lord, and 
in the power of his might. And if, like Paul, you 
have to fight with beafts, not at Ephefus, but at Ran- 
goon, like him alfo, be valiant for the truth — Contend 
earneftly for the faith, and behave as good foldiers of 
JefusChrift. But you are always to remember that 
the weapons of your warfare are not carnal, but fpirit- 
ual ; and that they are mighty through God, to the 
pulling down of flrong holds, calling down imagina- 
tions, and every high thing, that exalteth itfelf againft 
the knowledge of God. Gird on then the whole ar- 
mour of God ; and above all, take the fhield of faith, 
wherewith yc fhall be able to quench all the fiery darts 
of the wicked. 


19 


May he who leadeth Jofeph like a (lock ever be with 
you. May he be your Guide and Inftru&or. And 
may you be made inftrumental of gathering thoufands 
of the heathen into his church and kingdom. 

O 

My attention is next, 

2. Called to thofe young women, who are alfo about 
to leave us for a dillant country. 

My dear children — you are now engaged in the 
belt of caufes. It is that caufe for which Jcfus the 
Sonof God came into the world and fullered and died. 
You literally forlake father and mother, broth- 
ers and lifters, for the lake of Chrift, and the promo- 
tion of his kingdom. In this employment, you, prob- 
ably', have an arduous work before you — A work, that 
will occupy all your talents and much of your time. 

44 When I was at Chinganoor,” fuy r s Dr. Buchanan, 
(a place inhabited by chriftians,) 44 the fight of the 
women allured me that I was once more in a chriftian 
country. For the Hindoo women, and the Mahom- 
edan women, and, in fihort, all women, who are not 
chriftians, are accounted by the men an inferior race, 
and, in general, are confined to the houfe for life, 
like irrational creatures.”* 1 

It will be your bulinefs, my dear children, to teach 
thefe women, to whom your hufbands can have but 
little, or no accefs. Go then, and do all in your pow- 
er, to enlighten their minds, and^bring them to the 
knowledge of the truth. Go, and if pofiible, raife 
their character to the dignity of rational beings, and 
to the rank of chriftians in a chriftian land. Teach 

* Cb:litian Researches. 


20 


them to realize, that they are not an inferior race of 
creatures ; but hand upon a par with men. Teach 
them that they have immortal fouls ; and are no lon°-- 
er to burn themfelves, in the fame fire, with the bod- 
ies of their departed hufbands. Go, bring them from 
their cloifters into the afl'emblies of the faints. Teach 
them to accept of Chrift as their Savior, and to en- 
joy the privileges of the children of God. 

Should you be able, in any meafure, to raife the 
female character in the eaft, and bring but a fmall 
proportion of them to know their Savior, it will, un- 
doubtedly, afford you great fatisfacfion. Mrs. Palm, 
in the ifland of Ceylon, enjoyed, in fome degree, this 
pleafure. I afked her, fays Dr. Buchanan, if fhe had 
no wifh to return to Europe, after living fo long a- 
mong the uncivilized Cingalefe. No, fhe faid, fhe 
was all the day long happy in the communication of 
knowledge. How happy would it be, to hear, that 
you are equally fuccefsful, and have the fame enjoy- 
ment ! May you live to fee the fruit of your labors, in 
the converfion of thoufands of your filters in the eaft, 
and find that they, toith their hufbaiids and others, 
have turned from their Idols, to ferve the only living 
and true God. And may the Lord himfelf be with 
you, and fupport and comfort you, and be your por- 
tion forever. Again, 

3. Let thofe of you, my friends, who are the par- 
ents of thofe young people, about to leave us, endea- 
vor to realize the fuperintending providence of God 
in it. In this way you may be, and, I hope are, re- 


21 


eonciled to it. For, you mult acknowledge, that it is 
He only could infpire your children with fo much 
courage and refolution. You know that they have 
the tendereft feelings for their connections and rela- 
tions ; and that they have no more defire to leave 
you, and them, than any others. You firmly believe, 
that it is from a fenfe of duty only, that they aflume 
this courage, and dare to face fo many dangers. It 
is becaule they have a defire to aid thofe, who are go- 
ing to carry the glad tidings of the gofpcl to the heath- 
en. You cannot, therefore, but approve of their mo- 
tives, even when you feel ever fo much reluctance, to 
have them leave you. Whatever may be your feel- 
ings then, it may be your duty, as far as pofiible, to 
fupprefs them. Be very cautious, therefore, how )Ou 
throw any more weight in that fcale which is now 
ready to fink too low, under its own burden. It is 
necefiary, as far as you are able, to keep the ftate of 
your minds, calm, compofed and refigned to the will 
of God. You have, formerly, committed them into 
his hands, and refigned them to his difpofal. He has 
alfo, we truft, already, taken them under his peculiar 
care and direction. Be perfuaded now then, re- 
newedly, to commit them to the care of him who 
made them. He will ftill take care of them, and 
provide for them. He will yet be their father and 
their friend, and will never leave nor forfake them. 
And fhould you never fee them again, here on earth, 
we hope the reparation will not be forever. We truft 
that when you and they have finifhed your courfe 


22 


here below, you will again meet, in heaven, to part no 
more. We fully believe that the children of God 
who are now fcattered abroad will there be gathered 
together in one. Let this be your comfort and con- 
folation. Again, 

4. Let all your hearts, and your prayers, my chriC- 
tian brethren, follow thefe youths, wherever they go, 
even to the ends of the earth. 

I know indeed, that if you have any intercourfe at 
the throne of grace, you cannot but pray for them. 
You mult pray, that God would keep and prefcrve 
them from every danger ; and that they may arrive at 
their defired haven in health and fafety — You mult 
pray, that they may be received by the heathen with 
attention ; and may there fhine as lights in the midft 
of darknefs and error — That they may be fuccefsful 
in the converfion of thoufands of thefe pagans from 
their Idols to the worfhip of God. May your pray- 
ers be heard. And may the Lord be their pillar of 
cloud by day, and pillar of fire by night, to direct 
them in all their ways. 

Finally. My brethren of this whole affembly ; You 
fee what thefe young people are about to do for the 
converfion of the heathen. They are ready to haz- 
ard their health and their lives in the promotion of 
this benevolent object. You are fenfible that they 
leave a country, where their profpefts of comfort and 
happinefs are as fair as others. They are going to 
regions, where the climate to ftrangers is unhealthy 
and impure, and where the life even of the natives is 


23 


but fhort. All this they do, for the fake of extend- 
ing the gofpel of the Redeemer, and the falvation of 
immortal fouls. And is there nothing to be done by 
thofe of you, my friends, who (lay at home ? They 
now throw themfelves upon the charity of their na- 
tive country. To this they muft look for their fup- 
port. And I hope, that the charity of this country 
will not permit them to want. But to you, my hear- 
ers, we muft look, at fome future period, for a part. 
And 1 truft, that when requefted, you will not be un- 
willing to contribute your mite. 

To the care of the great Head of the church I now 
commit them. To his grace I alfo refign you all. 
May he gather you together in one. And may you 
all return and come to Zion with a fong, and with 
fhouts of everlafting joy. 


AMEN. 


d HYMN — Written fur the dtcasioii 


GO, ye heralds of salvation ; 

Go, and preach in heathen lands ; 

"Publish loud to every nation, 

What the Lord of life commands. 

Go, ye sisters their companions, 

Sooth their cares, and wipe their tears^ 

Angels shall in bright battalions 

Guide your steps, and guard your fears 

Go, ye pilgrims, heir of glory, 

Show to Pagans Christ your King; 

While the gospel is your story, 

Earth shall with hosannas ring. 

Go, and let your whole behaviour, 

Show your love to Christ your Lord? 

Let the heathen know their Saviour, 
Teach them to obey his word. 

Led by him, who in a marger, 

Once a feeble infant lay ; 

In rough climates, free from danger, 

You shall plough your briny way. 

Speed your course across the ocean, 

Till you reach the Birman throne, 

Tell those nations their devotion 
Must be paid to Christ alone. 

Landed safe in distant regions 

Tell the Birmans Jesus died; 

Tell them satan and his legions, 

Bow to him they crucified. 

Far beyond the mighty Ganges, 

When vast floods between us roll: 

Think how wisely Jesus ranges, 

Nations wide from pole to pole. 

While with heathen nations blended, 

Light and peace within shall rise; 

When your days on earth are ended, 
Christ receive you to the skies. 

To his grace we now resign you, 

To him only you belong ; 

You with every Christian Hindoo, 

Joiu at last th’ Angelic throng. 



